St. Emily Fifth Graders Participate in The Friends of Jesus Project
St. Emily fifth graders had the privilege of spreading Christmas joy when they participated in the "Friends of Jesus" Christmas project. Each fifth grader was given $50 cash to reach out to someone in need. This is the fourth year Pauline Books and Media has partnered with an anonymous donor to give this opportunity to fifth grade students in catholic schools in the Chicagoland area.
This project is the inspiration of an anonymous donor who wishes to provide an opportunity for children to think about and use the money to buy a gift for someone or donate to someone in need. The hope is that it will start a lifetime habit of giving to others. The only requirement is that each child write a paragraph or two describing how they used their money, how it made them feel and what they learned.
Under the direction of their teacher, Mrs. Stacey Ankony, the twenty-three fifth graders had the two weeks before Christmas to carry out their mission. The donations included monetary donations to various charitable organizations: PADS, St. Jude's Children's Hospital, the Salvation Army, St. Vincent de Paul Society, the Women's Center of Chicago, Lemons of Love, Maryville Unaccompanied Children's Shelter, Children's Home and Aid, and the Gary Sinise Foundation. The students were happy to learn how their donation would help people. Noah's mom even matched the donation with one of her own.
Some students gave the money directly to friends and neighbors who were struggling financially. Lindsay and Megan bought pet supplies for the Buddy Foundation and Lindsay bought supplies for a local animal shelter. Lindsay said, "I chose to give to animals because they make our life easier and are always by our side making our day happier." Ethan and Deacon used their money to buy toys to donate to Toys for Tots. Madelyn and her family bought and delivered toys to the sick kids at Ronald McDonald House. Alivia bought toys for a young family friend with Cerebral Palsy. "I chose him because I can be in gymnastics, jump and play, but he can't. He didn't ask for Cerebral Palsy. When he opened the gift, it made my day!"
The homeless were the focus for a few students. Angel sent money to relatives in the Philippines to buy food and water for the homeless. Caylee and her mom made a care package of food, gloves and a hat and gave it to a homeless man. Grace and her family went to the Magnificent Mile in Chicago and passed out hats, gloves, scarves and money to each homeless person they encountered. She said, "It was such a beautiful day. I learned so much by donating, like how something as small as $2 and a hat can mean so much to someone."
The lessons these children learned will be in their hearts forever. Cassie summed it up by saying, "Christmas is all about caring and thinking of one another and being together as a family."